Three freshmen named All-SEC

Arkansas freshman linebacker Otha Peters (5) was one of three Razorbacks defenders named to the SEC all-Freshman Team on Wednesday.

FAYETTEVILLE  Although the Arkansas defense struggled last season, Arkansas' new head coach, Brett Bielema, will inherit three members of the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team.

Linebackers A.J. Turner and Otha Peters, and safety Rohan Gaines were voted to the SEC All-Freshman Team on Thursday. It is the third straight season the Razorbacks have had at least three members on the team.

Gaines, a redshirt freshman from Bainbridge, Ga., recorded the second-most tackles on the team in 2012 with 75. He was also the third-leading freshman tackler in the SEC.

With injuries to senior linebackers Alonzo Highsmith and Tenarius Wright, Peters and Turner gained an abundance of playing time. Peters appeared in 10 games, starting the final three of the season, and Turner played in all 12 games with six starts.

Turner finished the season with the fifth-most tackles on the team with 53. The Lepanto native recorded a season-high 12 tackles in the final game against then-No. 7 LSU.